If you're a fan of Hilary Farr's HGTV series, you know that the designer's signature kitchen aesthetic is simple yet luxurious. Farr doesn't like distracting design elements, like super-showy hardware. And that's her particular dislike when it comes to wood cabinets. In an interview with Apartment Therapy, Hilary Farr said that stained cabinets can draw too much attention and distract from other focal points of the kitchen design. The only time she feels that wood cabinet fronts are okay is if they're “a super cool walnut that's repeated and reflected elsewhere.”
It's clear why walnut got her approval: Not only does it have a tight, refined grain, but this premium hardwood is often dark in tone with cool gray undertones. Of course, a premium wood like walnut comes at a price; solid wood cabinets are already pretty pricey, but walnut is one of the most expensive options.
If your wallet is tight and you're not comfortable paying the price for walnut, follow Farr's advice and opt for painted cabinets. Not only is it cost-effective, but it's easy to paint your kitchen cabinets a new color in the future. Plus, it can cost just $3 per square foot to have your cabinets professionally painted. If you're not sure which color to choose, blue is a timeless paint color that HGTV's Hilary Farr swears by for creating a cozy kitchen.
